A transmission terminal that communicates contents data including sound data with a counterpart transmission terminal, detects a delay time indicating a delay in receiving the contents data from the counterpart transmission terminal, and interrupts transmission of the contents data other than the sound data to the counterpart transmission terminal when the delay time exceeds a predetermined value.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A transmission terminal that communicates with a counterpart transmission terminal, the transmission terminal comprising: a network interface configured to receive first content data from the counterpart transmission terminal, the first content data including first image data and first sound data, and to transmit second content data to the counterpart transmission terminal, the second content data including second image data and second sound data; and a processor configured to detect a delay time indicating a delay in receiving the first content data from the counterpart transmission terminal, wherein, upon the detected delay time exceeding a predetermined value, the processor causes an imaging unit to interrupt capturing of the image of the object and further causes the network interface to transmit, of the second content data, only the second sound data, to the counterpart transmission terminal.
A communication device reduces lag in video calls. It monitors the delay in receiving video and audio data from the other caller. If the delay exceeds a threshold, the device stops sending its own video feed but continues sending audio. This ensures at least voice communication is maintained even with a poor network connection, avoiding complete call failure due to excessive lag. The device has a network interface for sending/receiving data, a camera, and a processor to manage the delay monitoring and transmission behavior.
2. The transmission terminal of claim 1 , wherein the processor causes the network interface to interrupt transmission of the second image data included in the second content data.
The communication device described above specifically stops sending the image data part of its outgoing video, when the delay exceeds the threshold. The audio data transmission is not affected.
3. The transmission terminal of claim 2 , further comprising: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object at the transmission terminal, wherein the image captured by the imaging unit is included in the second content data for transmission to the counterpart transmission terminal.
The communication device described above has a built-in camera which captures a live video feed of the user. This camera feed is normally included in the outgoing data stream to the other caller.
4. A method of controlling communication with a counterpart transmission terminal, performed by a transmission terminal, the method comprising: receiving first content data from the counterpart transmission terminal, the first content data including first image data and first sound data; detecting a delay time indicating a delay in receiving the first content data from the counterpart transmission terminal; determining whether the detected delay time exceeds a predetermined value, wherein, upon determining that the detected delay time exceeds the predetermined value, a processor causes an imaging unit to interrupt capturing of an image of an object; and transmitting, of second content data, the second content data including second image data and second sound data, only the second sound data, to the counterpart transmission terminal.
This describes a method for a communication device to maintain a call with poor network conditions. The device monitors the delay in received video and audio data. If the delay becomes too long, the device stops capturing and sending the video portion of its outgoing data, but it continues to transmit audio. This helps keep the call active even when the network isn't good enough for smooth video.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the transmitting step comprises interrupting transmission of the second image data included in the second content data.
The communication method above involves interrupting the transmission of specifically the image data, that would have otherwise been transmitted as video, when the delay becomes excessive.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: capturing an image of an object at the transmission terminal, wherein the captured image is included in the second content data for transmission to the counterpart transmission terminal.
The communication method described above starts by capturing a video using a camera on the communication device and then packaging that captured video for transmission. When network delays occur the video transmission is halted but audio continues.
7. A non-transitory recording medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a transmission terminal, cause the processor to perform a method of controlling communication with a counterpart transmission terminal, the method comprising: receiving first content data from the counterpart transmission terminal, the first content data including first image data and first sound data; detecting a delay time indicating a delay in receiving the first content data from the counterpart transmission terminal; determining whether the detected delay time exceeds a predetermined value, wherein upon determining that the detected delay time exceeds the predetermined value, a processor causes the imaging unit to interrupt capturing of an image of an object; and transmitting, of second content data, the second content data including second image data and second sound data, only the second sound data, to the counterpart transmission terminal.
A software program, when running on a communication device, will reduce lag issues on a video call. The program monitors the delay in the incoming audio and video data stream. If that delay goes above a limit, the program stops the device's camera from sending any further video data to the other caller, while continuing to transmit audio. This avoids complete call failure if the network is too slow for video.
8. A transmission system, comprising: the transmission terminal of claim 1 ; and a management apparatus including processing circuitry configured to generate a message indicating that the second image data was not received, when determining that the transmission terminal detected the delay time exceeding the predetermined value, and transmit the generated message to the counterpart transmission terminal for display.
This system has two parts: the communication device from the first claim that detects and reacts to network delays by stopping its video, and a server. When the device detects that the delay is too high and stops sending video, the server notices the missing video data. The server then sends a message to the other caller's device, informing them that video has been temporarily disabled due to network problems.
9. A transmission management system, comprising: a transmission terminal that communicates with a counterpart terminal and includes first processing circuitry configured to detect a delay time in receiving content data from the counterpart terminal, and a transmitter configured to transmit the detected delay to a management apparatus; the management apparatus including a receiver to receive the detected delay, and second processing circuitry configured to determine an image data quality using the received detected delay, and a transmitter configured to transmit the determined image quality to a relay device; and a relay device including a receiver to receive the determined image data quality from the management apparatus and to receive content data from the counterpart terminal, the content data including a plurality of content data at a corresponding plurality of quality levels, and third processing circuitry configured to determine which of the received plurality of content data to relay to the transmission terminal, based on the received image quality data.
This system manages video quality based on network conditions. A sending device measures the delay in receiving data and sends this delay information to a central server. The server determines an appropriate video quality based on the delay. This quality level is then transmitted to a relay server. The relay server receives multiple versions of the video at different quality levels, selects the appropriate version according to the quality level it received from the central server, and sends this video to the receiving device. This allows the system to adapt video quality automatically to network conditions.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 25, 2013
April 4, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.